Hanna Weighing 2018 Bid for Governor

Richard Hanna may be retiring from Congress in a couple of weeks but he is giving some thought to seeking another job closer to home.

The Oneida County Republican has been a member of the House of Representatives for six years. He did not run for reelection this year.

Hanna previously has said he had been asked to consider running for governor in two years.

During an interview Tuesday on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Hanna said "a bunch of people" have urged him to think about being a candidate in 2018. He didn't identify those who've been pushing a possible run.

Hanna indicated he is giving greater consideration to the possibility. He said "the more I think about it, I've got time, I'll work through it."

Hanna said he's "not a big fan" of Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. He said he believes there are "a number of things" Cuomo has done "that are thoroughly offensive to just about everybody in the state."

The congressman said he believes the New York Republican party has been turning to candidates who are "extreme members of the far, almost alt-right." He cited Carl Paladino and Wendy Long as examples.

Hanna said New York Republicans often wind up nominating candidates for statewide offices who are too conservative and thus "not widely electable."

Hanna himself has been regarded as too liberal by many state Republicans. During his time in Congress, he received national attention for bucking the GOP position on some key issues.

During the presidential election, Hanna made it clear he opposed Republican nominee Donald Trump and publicly announced he planned to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton. In the Congressional race, he also strongly criticized Republican Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney's positions.

Tenney won the November election and she will be sworn in next month to succeed Hanna in the 22nd District Congressional seat.

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